Clayco: Into South Africa

If there was one part of the trip that I had zero expectations about it was the safari, in fact I was almost sure it was going to be disappointing. I am not sure if it would have mattered where my expectations were prior to coming to Pondoro Game Lodge for our 3 night 4 day safari because I left absolutely blown away by the experience. As thrilling as it was to be at the World Cup, dive with great whites and explore the Cape, nothing came close to the experience of the safari.

Pondoro Game Lodge was exactly how I would do a safari again. Beautiful, luxurious (by safari standards) thatched huts sitting down on the banks of the Olifanst River. The meals were some of the best we had during our entire trip and beyond plentiful and frequent (wake up snack, morning snack in the bush, breakfast, lunch, evening drinks and snack in the bush, 3 course dinner). In addition to the outstanding food Pondoro boasts an award winning wine lists and on site serenity spa.

Pondoro's owners are on site at all time (apparently a rarity at safari lodges today). The husband is one of the two rangers and the wife oversees the lodge and kitchen. I cannot stress to you how amazing her food is. From the lamb shank to the Springbok pot pie everything was outstanding.

I doubt words or pictures will do justice to the experiences and mental images captured during my safari (amazing sunsets, giraffes gliding through the bush, watching lion's hunt and attack zebra and then having them come within arms length of our vehicle and the list goes on...), but I want to share a few of my favorite pictures out of the thousands we took. Enjoy!

Young Impala males getting in some practice